May is here and many of our summer activities are starting for the season. The Farmers’ Markets are opening—downtown markets will be Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm. The West Lafayette market is open on Wednesday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Guided free trolley rides will be held every Saturday morning during the summer at 9:40 and 10:40 a.m. from the corner of Fifth and Main Streets.  Wolf Park will open for the season and “Howl Nights” will again be held on Friday and Saturday Nights.  The first Downtown Gallery Walk is on may 9. The free Citizen Band Concerts will be held at Riehle Plaza starting on the 26th and then Thursday nights until Labor Day.  Fort Ouiatenon will open  on the 17th.

During the month you can help a lot of local causes in a variety of ways starting with a “Toast to Mental Health” on the first; the Jefferson HS Antique Show, TCHA’s Dining With the Legends of Lafayette, and the Crisis Center 24th Annual Spring Benefit Concert on the second. The third will bring St. Mary’s Neighborhood Flora, Feathers and Froufrou Tea.  May 8 will have Friends of Downtown Unseen City Tour.  Those taking advantage of the great weather will be Cystic Fibrosis “Great Strides” Walk on the 17th, and Avon Breast Cancer Walk and United Way’s 5K  & 10 K Walk/Run on the 31st.

Purdue University Commencement weekend is May 9-11.  The NCAA Men’s Golf Tournament will be at Purdue on the 24th.   ‘Round the Fountain Art Fair will start the festival season on May 24.  Other offerings during the month include ballet, concerts, theater, productions children’s activities, nature walks, and star gazing—check our event calendar for details.